Resilient wheel



1,335,661. Patented Mar. 30, 1920.

E. W. CONNESS.

RESILIENT WHEEL.

ArPLlcArloN man MAR. ao. 191s.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

u A l l ,lil lil liuill E .Wonness SLW/immo dttozncg E. W. CONNESS. RESILIEN'T WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30. 1918.

,Patented Mar. 3o, 1920.

SHEETS-SHEET 2.

6I C'ofmess Strawn E. W. CONNESS.

RESILIENT WHEEL. A-.PPLlcATmN FILED MARf'ao, 1918.

Patented Mai'. 30, 19201 4 SHEETS-SMIT. 3.

l .Y1-LW. Gnness Stro r w14 E. W. CONNESS.

RESILIENT WHEEL.

APPLlvcATl-ON FILED MAR. 30. 1918.

'1 ,335,66 l Patented Mar. 30, 1920.

Snom n to@ E .W Conne'ss atto: ne 14 par EDWARD W. CONNESS, OF KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON.

anion. y

. RESILIENT WHEEL. l

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented iwal- 30, l92() Application led March 30, 1918. Serial No. 225,737.

T0 all whom t may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD W. CoNNEss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Klamath Falls, in the countyof Klamath and State of Oregon, have invented new and useful Improvements in Resilient Wheels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to wheels Vfor vehicles, and its principal object is to produce a wheel which is resilient and capable of run# ning over obstacles and roughsurfaces in the same rvmanner and with the same effect as wheels having `pneumatic tires.

In carrying out my invention I produce a wheel in which the spokes are retained outward of the hub by the arrangement of springs arranged in the hub and exerting their tension against the spokes, the said spokes having their outer ends connected to a rim or shoe comprising a plurality of yieldable connected members, the said rim receiving a tread which is also of a yieldable nature,.and thus produce a construction wherein all of the parts of the wheel are effectively cushioned to withstand the shocks and jars to which the same may be subjected.

Various other obj ects and advantages will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, reference being `had to the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a side view of a wheel embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a view of the hub of thevwheel, half 1n plan and half in central longitudi-V nal section.

Fig. 3 is a VView showing the hub half side elevation and half in section.

' Fig. l is an enlarged sectional view approXimatel'yon the line4-4 of Fig. A1;

Fig. 5 is a detail longitudinal section of a segment of the rimof the wheehupon an enlarged scale. Y

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the same.v Fig. 7 is a side view of the same.

Fig. 8 1s a plan view of one of the rim sections.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view o f one of thel rim sections, but illustrating a modification.` Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the y spokes.

speaking three sockets 1 Fig. 11 is a plan view of one of the colars. v

F ig. 12 is an approximately central longitudinal sectional view through the same. Fig. 13 is a plan view of one of the caps. F 1g. 14; is anv approximately central llongie'- tudinal sectional view through the same. V

Fig. 1 5 illustrates the spring members employed with each of the spokes.

Fig `16 is a sectional view throughthe rim illustrating one form of tread which may be employed. n Fig. 17 is a similar view illustrating a modified form of rim and tread.

VFig. 18 is a similar view illustrating a still further modification. Fig. 19 isa similar view illustrating a still further modification.

lFig. 20 is a similar view illustrating a still further modification. y Fig. 21 is a detail plan view of the tread illustrated in Fig. 20. .l

My improved resilient wheel is `broadly indicated'by the numerals 30. Y

The hub 31 of the wheel 30 may be vmadeA of one or two parts, the latter construction being illustrated by the drawings. rIhe hub is preferably, but not necessarily provided with a boX 32 within which is arranged anti-friction rollers 33 that engage, Vof course, with the spindle of A`the axle (not shown). The.` hub has radiating. from `the periphery thereof equally spaced openings providing sockets within which are y received the springs and `the Vends of the spokes. The sockets areeach provided with Y a bore of threev dimensions, ormore strictly are employed for each series of springs and foreach of the spokes, nearest the center ofthe Vhub and being designated by the` numeral `35, the next the smallest socket being arrangedY larger socket being designatedv byjthe,nu 'i meral 36, and the outer and largestfsocket is indicated bythe numeralV 37.

v Thus a shoulder 38 is provided between'V the sockets; and 36, and ai shoulder39 'is provided betweenv the sockets v36 and" 37. The socket 37 not only presents a"l'argerY bore than .the sockets 36 and l35,but is, provided,adjacent .itsouter-V end with threads 40 which are designed to be engaged b male threads upon the periphery of a co lar or bushing 41. The collar or bushing V41, upon the outer face thereof, and outward of its bore 42 is provided with spaced depressions 43 which are designed to receive the lingers or bits of a Spanner wrench whereby the collar may be adjustably arranged in the bore of the socket 37.

Before the collars or bushings are inserted in their respective sockets, I arrange inthe said sockets-a series of springs, three Vin number, each varying in length and in width, but all, however, being constructed of some high grade, and consequently strong steel so that'the same are not liable to breakage. The smallest spring is indi` cated Vby the numeral 44 and isseated inv Y spring 46 is the largest and strongest spring 47. y

The spokes areindicated by the numerals 48 and are each provided with reduced eX- tensions 49, the said extensions being passed through all of the springs and contacting with the end of the'smallest spring 44 in each ofthe sockets. On the shoulder 50 between the two diameters of each of the spokes 48 is arranged a slidable washer 5() that contacts with the outer ends ofthe springs 46 and 47. Each ofthe washers 50 is provided with a plurality of open ports 51,v and the'reduced end of each of the spokes 48 is provided with an air passage 52 extending longitudinally fromthe end thereof.

After the spokes are thus positioned the bushings'V or collars 4l are screwed in the sockets 37. i The bushings 4l force the washers 50 against the springs 46 and 47, and the j adjustmentrof the bushing regulates the tension of these springs. The bore of the collar loosely receives the spoke 48A so that the spokeis free to move through said collar' Valso to providean air passage between the bore of the collar and the spoke. After eachV of the collars has been screwed home I screw in the socket37 a cap 52. This cap is provided withperipheral threads and has its' outer face, outward of its bore Vor central opening provided with spaced depressions 53'to receive jaws. or fingers ,of a SpannerV wrench. The inner face of each of the caps is 4`'provided with la depression iforming .a pocket.54,andA in each of the: pockets is ar ranged a compressible gasket 55'that is de-V signed tov be forced against the outer endor face of each of the collars 41 and to be compressed against the respective spokes 48.

The tire carrying rim for the wheel is broadly indicated by the numerals56. The rim is made up of a plurality of segments 57, the cross sectional shape of which may vary, and each of the segments, upon its inner edgey may be centrally provided with an ear 58 designed, to receive the bifurcated outer end 59 of the spokes 48, a pivot 60 passing through the end 59 of each of the spokes and through each of the ears 58, thus loosely connecting the rim 56 to the spokes.

By reference to the drawings, it will be noted that the confronting ends of the segments comprising the rim 56 are arranged approximately centrally betweenea'ch pair of spokes 48. v The vsegments have their ends provided with outwardly extending cross sectionally round lugs or ears 61. The lugs or ears'on one end of each of the segments are centrally eut away providing a socket 62. The inner wall of 'each of these socketsy is concaved. The lug'on the opposite end of each of the ysegments is of al length corresponding to the depression or cut away portion of the ear on the opposite end thereof. F or distinction this lug or ear is indicated by the numeral'63, :and the said member 57v has depressions or sockets 62 arranged later# ally with respect to the lug63. The lug 63 of one of vthe sections is designed to be received inthe socket of the adjacent section, and the lugs on the adjacent section are received in the depressions or sockets of the coacting section. The connection between the segments is loose so that one of the said segments may be independent of the other, to a certain extent. On the 4turning of the wheel one end of the segment lirst contacting with the 'ground surface will have a tendency to tilt the said segment upon its pivotal connection with its respective spoke. This tilt is very slight. The segment, is now brought to directV contact with the ground surface, forcing the spoke toward the hub of the Vwheel against the pressure of Vthe springs. encyto swing the two segments connected'to the opposite vends of the segment bearing upon the ground toalso force the spokes connected with the said segments inward against the pressure of. their springs, so it will be notedthat one segment, in ground contacting position influences the two segments connected therewith, bringing three spokes into action and the springs associated with thefsaidV spokes also into action,Y and thus relieving positive strain upon any one is subjected. vThe inward movement of each of the spokes produces a piston-like action, compressing air in the bore of the l'inner This movement will have `a tend- Vspoke and absorbing, by a pluralityof Y springs the shock andj arto which the wheel. v

so'cketi'which, when the pressure upon the spoke is released, is relieved by passage through vthe depressions 52'in the reduced ends 49 of the spokes and the ports 51A in the washers 50.

As previously statedthe cross Vsectional shape of the segments comprising the rim may be shaped to accommodate tires of different shapes and construction. In Fig. 16 of the drawings each of the segments comprising the rim, upon the outer face thereof is formed with two longitudinal channels providing spaced concave surfaces within which are received a pair of cross sectional round continuous tread members 66. Embedded in each of the treads is a wire cable 67, the outer surface of the said cable being wrapped with a tape 68. In the said Fig. 16 of the drawings the rim segment 69 is provided with spaced ears 70 and with a depression 71 between the ears. In this instance the round outer end of the spoke 72 is received between the ears 70 entering the depression 71,a pivot 73 passing through the ears and through the spoke 7 2 loosely connecting the spoke to the rim.

In Fig. 17 the rim segment 74 has its edges provided with beads or flanges 7 5 receiving therebetween a wrapper tread 76. The outer face of the tread is flat and is provided with spacedsuction cups or depressions 77. Embedded in the tire 76 is a plurality of spaced continuous wire ropes 78 having their outer surfaces wound with tapes 79.

In Fig. 18 the rim segment 80 hasV its edges provided with beads 81 and is formed a considerable distance inward of the beads with two longitudinal concaved depressions 82 designed to receive convex surfaces 83 upon the inner faces of the tire 84, the said tire being provided with substantially flat surfaces 85, outward of the portions 83 which rest upon the portionsof the rim between the concavities 82 andk the beads 81.V

The tire has its outer surface flat and is provided Vwith suction 'depressions 86. The'tire 84, adjacent its convex portions 83 has yembedded therein `connected ring shaped'wire ropes 87 which are wound with tapes 88.,

In Fig. 19 the rim segment 89 has its outer face concaved and receives therein 'ai tread 90, which is round in cross section..

The tread upon its outer surface is provided with cup shape depressions 91 and has embedded therein adjacent its inner surface a `continuous wire rope 92 that i wrapped with a ytape 93.

In Figs. 2O and 21 the rim segment 94 has its outer face at and has'its edges provided with beads 95,."The tread 96 comprises a plurality of connected links 97, connecting elements for the series of links being in the nature of pivot bolts 98. This class of treadis particularly desirable upon wet or slippery surfaces, and-all vofwthe treads above described are sufiiciently yieldable so that the same will not interfere with the free movement of the spokes, rim seg'- ments and springs in performing their functions aspreviouslyv described. i

From` the 1 foregoing description, when taken in connection with the drawings, the simplicity and advantages of the construction will be apparent, it is thought, without further detailed description, it should be stated, however, that all of the springs are approximately three-fourths of an inch longer than the sockets provided therefor so that the springs will hold the spokes out rigidly against the tire. The end of the spoke extends into the socket 35 not less than one-fourth of an inch when the collar is screwed in position, and before the wire ropes are embedded in the fabric or rubber they are thoroughly stretched, as otherwise they would not hold the remainder of the tire firmly against the segments of the rim.

What I claim is:

1. A wheel including a hub having radially disposed sockets providing bores of three dimensions, the outer portions of the sockets being longer and of a greater circumference than the intermediate Vportions thereof and the said intermediate portions being longer most bores of the sockets resting on the shoulders between the outer and intermediate bores and surrounding the last mentioned series of springs, spokes, each of said spokes having a reduced end received in the smallest bore of the respective socket and vcontacting with the `spring in the said bore, a perforated washer on each of the spokes contacting with the remaining springs in the socket in which the said spoke is received, and Abushings in the outer bores of the sockets each receiving therethrough a spoke and contacting with the referred'tov washer on the spoke. Y

2. A wheel having a sectional hub provided with radially disposed sockets having the bores thereof of different lengths and ofthe sockets and contacting with the in- Vdiametersthe outer and largest bores being ner walls of the bores, spokes having reduced inner ends of a length less than the depth of the sockets, received i-n said sockets and having the ends thereof contacted by the inner and smallest spring in the sock- Y ets, a washeron each of the spokes normally contacting with the shoulder Vprovided by thereduced endl of the spoke, and said Washers being engaged by the remaining springs in the sockets that receive the spokes, and 10 bushings threaded in the outer bores of the sockets and the said spokes passing through said bushings. Y

In testimony whereof I afix my signature.

EDWARD vvv coNNEss. 

